January 28, 2015

USA - declaration of Sea Area 'A1' per SOLAS radio requirements

The US Coast Guard issued a notice announcing the declaration of Sea Area A1 in certain areas off the coast of the United States. The declaration is based upon the performance of the Coast Guard Rescue 21 System and in accordance with the SOLAS Convention.

The areas included in this designation are: the East, West, and Gulf coasts of the United States, excluding Alaska; and including Hawaii, Puerto Rico, the US Virgin Islands, Guam, and the Northern Mariana Islands of Saipan, Tinian, and Rota.

These locations are where more than 90% of the area within 20 nautical miles seaward of the territorial baseline is within coverage of the Coast Guard very high frequency (VHF) Coast Stations that provide both a continuous watch for Digital Selective Calling (DSC) distress alerts on Channel 70 and a capability to respond to distress alerts.